[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Kerry Azz

Isn’t that why we pay an amenity fee? And don’t they make money when they have a big event! It cost the towns and cities a lot more to set up these events and I’ve yet to see them charge to attend. Personally I think the Entertainment Department has made ridiculous changes over the past few years and each one of those changes unfortunately shows their concern to increase revenue.

No, Kerry, that is not what an amenity fee pays for. The businesses around the squares pay for the entertainment - an incentive to get you to go there and spend your money. Sumter County does award a small tourism grant to support the functions at Lake Sumter and Brownwood squares - and that $ comes from a County hotel/rental tax not property taxes. The Entertainment Dept that produces many of the events on the squares is no longer a function of the Villages - it was spun off an sold some time ago. Hope that helps your understanding a bit better.